Is An Apology About Surgical Mesh Enough?

Is An Apology About Surgical Mesh Enough?

Is An Apology About Surgical Mesh Enough?

Yesterday, New Zealand women and doctors demanded a formal apology for surgical mesh injuries from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

Wellington-based gynaecologist Dr Hanifa Koya explained that New Zealand women suffering injuries from surgical mesh implants “felt experimented on” and deserved to be recognised. “We should say sorry to them. We should accept them instead of blame-gaming, apologise and sort them out,” she said.

The RANZCOG has now responded to the demand with a video by the organisation’s president Professor Steve Robson. “I would like to start by offering an apology, a personal apology and an apology from the College, to women who have been affected by complications of these surgical procedures,” he said. “I’m really sorry it’s happened. The College is very regretful that some women have had adverse outcomes, and we’re very keen to move forward and try and make life better for as many women as we possibly can.”

Robson pointed out that most women don’t suffer the horrifying effects that have destroyed the lives of hundreds others. “The majority of women have had very good outcomes from the use of surgical mesh to treat prolapse, but some have not,” he said. “Fortunately most of the time adverse outcomes like erosion are relatively easily treated. But that hasn’t always been the case.”